Sanitary apparatus for assisting infirm persons, in particular for aiding in performing physiological functions

ABSTRACT

A sanitary apparatus for assisting infirm persons, in particular for aiding in performing physiological functions. The apparatus includes a support structure, an anatomic support element defining a support area, and a moving mechanism for translating at least the anatomic support element between at least two positions, a first lowered or stand-by position and a second raised position suitable for performing physiological functions. The apparatus further includes a cleansing system and a ventilation system that act in correspondence with the support area to deliver a cleansing liquid and circulating air in the area, respectively. The apparatus is fitted with a container support system for supporting a container destined to collect the residues of the physiological functions and/or of the cleansing liquid. A mechanism is provided for closing and sealing the container to isolate its contents.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sanitary apparatus for assistinginfirm persons, in particular for aiding in performing physiologicalfunctions.

Currently, to assist infirm persons who are bedridden, or anyway notindependent with regard to ambulation and/or the erect posture,essentially manual procedures are carried out, particularly in regard toaiding in performing physiological functions, such as operationsconnected to defecation, to urination and to the subsequent cleansingoperations.

Manually performed procedures can be found annoying both by the personbeing assisted and by the paramedic personnel rendering assistance.

To allow infirm persons to satisfy their physiological needs without atotally manual intervention, apparatuses have been designed for thecollection of physiological waste, to be associated to beds, armchairsand similar structures for patients.

BACKGROUND ART

In the prior art, patent IT-1.231.364, provided an apparatus for thecollection of patients' physiological waste. The document describes anapparatus able to allow infirm persons, forced to a total or partialimmobility, to satisfy their physiological needs. The apparatusessentially comprises a structure fitted with a vertically movableanatomic element to aid in supporting a patient, means able to cleanseand dry the patient and a container for collecting physiological waste.This apparatus thus is able to facilitate the aforesaid physiologicaloperations, collecting the waste in the appropriate container.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention constituting the object of the present patent applicationintends to solve the problem related to infirm persons' defecation andurination, and to their cleansing, washing and drying, providing anapparatus able to aid in performing physiological functions collectingthe waste in containers which are preferably single-use and sealable.

In this way, on one hand, the apparatus allows to perform physiologicalfunctions and the subsequent cleansing operations, while on the otherhand it enables to isolate the waste resulting from the aforesaidoperations, eliminating the possibility of contact with that waste,facilitating its disposal. These characteristics are extremely importantin the context of the current regulations for handling hospital wasteand from the point of view of improving patients' living conditions asweel as paramedic personnel's working conditions.

The sanitary apparatus for assisting infirm personnel is of the typecomprising a support structure, an anatomic support element, motionmeans able to translate vertically at least the anatomic support elementbetween at least two positions, cleansing means and ventilation meansable, respectively, to deliver a cleansing liquid and to produce an aircirculation; the sanitary apparatus is characterised in that it isprovided with means for supporting a container, destined to collect thewaste resulting from physiological functions and/or the cleansingliquid, in correspondence with said support area or in any case in anarea connected thereto and with means able to close the container, insuch a way as hermetically to isolate its contents.

Using as a receptacle a bag made of heat-sealable material, theapparatus can comprise closure means constituted by binding elements forsealing the content of the bag.

The motion of the means for supporting and closing the container canadvantageously be commanded by means of cam means, i-e. guided by meansof simple design and able to guarantee a remarkable reliability, thanksto the absence of complex motion mechanisms.

Moreover, the various procedures of the apparatus can be managed partlyor totally by electronic command and control means able to make thevarious components of the apparatus perform a succession of operatingphases, controlled in an essentially automatic manner.

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to theaforesaid purposes, can clearly be seen from the content of the claimsreported below and its advantages shall be made more evident in thedetailed description that follows, made with reference to the attacheddrawings, which show an embodiment provided purely by way of nonlimiting example, wherein:

FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 relate to front schematic views, with some partsremoved to highlight others and with a detail in enlarged scale, of anembodiment of the subject invention, in different positions of operationwith one of the positions shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show schematically, respectively in a rear view and in aside view with some parts removed to highlight others, the embodiment asper the previous figures;

FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic top plan view with parts removed, theembodiment as per the previous figures, with some detached details of asupport structure;

FIG. 6 shows, in a prospective schematic view, the embodiment as per theprevious figures, with one detail also shown in side view for betteridentification;

FIG. 7 is a diagram concerning the possible connections between thevarious component parts of an embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus constituting the object of the invention, indicated as 1in its entirety, can be used to assist infirm persons, in particular toaid them in performing physiological functions and in the variousoperations connected thereto.

The sanitary apparatus 1 essentially comprises a support structure 10fitted with a plurality of devices of various types described hereafter.

The support structure 10 can be fitted with wheels allowing it to bemoved about. In particular, in the example shown, the structure 10comprises a pair of front wheels 19 which can rotate around a horizontalaxle 17 and a pair of swivelling rear wheels 18, hinged around theirrespective vertical Y axes.

The support structure 10 presents, at its top, an opening 11, where ananatomic support element 2 is fitted to define a support area 12. Thissupport area is, in practice, the area of the apparatus that is directlyinvolved with supporting a person requiring assistance and that is usedfor performing the various hygienic-sanitary operations describedhereafter.

The anatomic support element 2, and a whole portion 16 of the apparatus1 can be moved vertically thanks to the presence of motion means 3,located on the structure 10 and acting on the movable portion 16 whichsupports the anatomic support element 2 and other devices.

In the form of embodiment shown, the motion means 3 comprise a squaretubular element 31, presented by a base 15 (or fixed portion 15) of thesupport structure 10, wherein is coaxially inserted a correspondingsquare element, presented by the movable portion 16, and an elementwhose extension can be varied on command such as a cylinder 33 whichcauses the movable portion 16 and the anatomic support element 2 to beraised or lowered.

The motion means 3 thus serve the purpose of translating vertically atleast the anatomic support element 2 between at least two positions ofwhich a first lower, or stand-by, position and a second raised positionsuitable for performing physiological functions. In this second positionthe anatomic support element reaches a suitable height with respect to abed L in order to allow the infirm person to be supported by theanatomic support element. Obviously, bed L shall be provided with asuitable opening to allow the insertion of the anatomic support element;such opening provided on bed L shall also be present in the mattress andin the bed linen.

The support area 12 is provided with cleansing means 4 and ventilationmeans 5 able, respectively, to deliver a cleansing liquid and to producean air circulation in the area.

In particular, cleansing means 4 can comprise two tanks 44 and 43destined, respectively, to contain water and a detergent, and connected,by means of appropriate ducts on which are fitted related pumps 40 and41, to one or more nozzles 42 so placed as to deliver liquid in thedirection of the support area 12. To heat the two liquids, two resistorelements 46 and 45 can be fitted, respectively for the water and for thedetergent.

The ventilation means 5 can comprise an intake fan 51 and a drying fan52. In the embodiment shown, the intake fan 51 acts on a duct 53presenting an intake opening 56 positioned in the support area 12 and anoutput opening 55 connected to the outside of the apparatus 1 andprovided with filtering elements. The drying fan 52 acts on a duct 54(which connects an external intake opening 57 and a delivery opening 58placed on the support area 12) and acts in a direction opposite that ofthe intake fan 51. The flow of air inside the duct 54 is thus directedtowards the support area 12 and can be heated by resistor means 59provided on the duct 54.

Advantageously the apparatus 1 is provided with means 6 for supporting acontainer 8, destined to collect the waste resulting from physiologicalfunctions and/or the cleansing liquid, in correspondence with thesupport area 12 (or in any case in an area connected thereto) and withmeans 7 able to close the container 8, so as hermetically to isolate itscontents.

In other words, the apparatus is provided with means able to support acontainer for physiological waste (possibly combined with the cleansingfluid) and to seal the same once the physiological functions have beenperformed.

In the example shown, the container 8 comprises a bag-shaped receptaclewhich can be, for instance, a bag made of single-use heat-sealableplastic material.

The bag 8 is provided with its seats or pockets located incorrespondence with the first two opposed portions 81 or located incorrespondence with the mouth of the bag 8 on two opposed faces 83.

The support means 6 comprise at least two support elements 61,represented by two stems 61 fitted horizontally and able to be insertedinto the seats presented by bag 8 in order to support it Obviously,support elements may be differently shaped according to thecorresponding shape presented by the container 8.

The support elements or stems 61 are placed on first ends 62 of first"L" shaped levers 63, with their fulcrum, in correspondence with theirangular portion 65, on corresponding horizontal axes X and on whoseother ends 64 contact first command rods 66, adjustable vertically.

In this way, in correspondence with vertical translations relative tothe rods 66 there will be rotations of the stems 61 which are led alongan operating path which provides for at least two positions in which thesupport elements 61, together with the first opposed portions 81 of thecontainer supported by them, are distanced respectively by a largervalue so as to open the container FIG. 1A and by a smaller value so asto close it FIG. 2.

The first rods 66 can be connected to motion means 3, so that to themove, made by the anatomical support element 2, from the second raisedposition to the first lower position, shall correspond a move by thesupport elements 61, along the aforesaid operating path, from theposition in which the container is open to the position in which thecontainer is closed. In other words, when the anatomic support element 2is at bed height, the bag 8 is open, whereas when the element is lowered(after performing the physiological functions and the related operationsof cleansing, drying, etc.), the mouth of the bag 8 is closed.

As stated previously, in addition to the means 6 for supporting the bag8, the apparatus also presents means able to close or closing means 7.

These means 7 able to close the container 8 are located below thesupport elements 61, i.e. they act between the mouth and the bottom ofthe bag 8, so as to close the bag 8 by irremovably binding the secondopposed portions 82 placed below the first opposed portions 81.

If the container is a heat-sealable bag, the means 7 able to close thecontainer can also comprise two binding elements 71 able to seal saidcontainer.

Binding elements 71 too, similarly to support elements 61, can be placedon the first ends 72 of second "L" shaped levers 73, with their fulcrum,in correspondence with their angular portion 75, on correspondinghorizontal axes X' and on whose other ends 74 act second verticallyadjustable command rods 76. The second command rods 76 also can beconnected to the motion means, similarly to the arrangement for supportmeans 6 and described previously.

This way of moving the supporting elements 61 and the binding elements71 guarantees a marked reliability of the machine, thanks to thesimplicity with which the motion is transmitted to such elements 61 andcomponents 71.

The sanitary apparatus can also comprise folding components 88 actingvertically on each of the flanks 84 between the faces 83 of thecontainer, so as to set the bag 8, before activating the closing means7, in a configuration in which the flanks 84 are folded and interposedbetween the two faces drawn near each other. This fold of the bag shallpreferably involve its top area, close to the mouth of the bag and notoccupied by waste.

In this way the closure of the bag 8 shall be extended in its perimeteralong a whole line of the bag itself, eliminating the possibility ofdefective closures, i.e. not complete along an entire perimeter.

The folding elements 88 can comprise, as in the embodiment shown, twolevers 88 presenting two essentially vertical portions placed incorrespondence with the positions occupied by the flanks of the bag 8once the bag is borne by supporting elements 61. The levers 88 areshaped as a line broken at the bottom (i.e. they are curved with theirrespective concavities opposite each other and facing the area occupiedby the bag) and their fulcrum is there on horizontal axes Z andconnected to means 87 for transmitting a command. After activation ofthe means 87 for transmitting the command, i.e. after they are moved toprovide a thrust or a traction of the levers 88, the latter can be drawnnearer in order to insert the flanks 84 of the bag 8 into the faces 83,for the aforementioned operations preceding closure.

To guarantee greater asepticity, the sanitary apparatus 1 can beprovided with reversible means for fastening the anatomic supportelement 2 to the support structure 10, in order to facilitate cleaningand/or sterilisation operations on the element 2 itself which canpreferably be made of autoclavable material.

As is best seen in FIG. 5, the structure 10 can comprise a top portion22 on which can be inserted an intermediate element 21 able to allowconnections with one or more nozzles 42 present at the output of thecleansing ducts.

On the intermediate element 21 can be fastened the anatomic supportelement 2: in this way, each time the apparatus 1 is used, it ispossible to replace an anatomic support element 2 already used with anew, or sterilised, one.

For the operation of the various parts of the apparatus 1 an electricalpower supply can be provided, for instance by means of a battery 97which can be provided with a recharging device 98, in order for it to berecharged by connection to mains voltage.

All the various operations which the apparatus can perform may beestablished by means of electronic command and control means 9,preferably of the microprocessor type.

With reference to FIG. 7, these electronic means are connected to themotion means 3, to the cleansing means 4, to the ventilation means 5, tothe supporting means 6 and to the means 7 able to close the container,in order to make the apparatus 1 perform a series of operationsaccording to a procedure determined by an operator or by a protocolwhich can be stored by the electronic means 9 themselves. In otherwords, the various operating phases of the apparatus can be totally orpartially automated and, analogously to the diagram in FIG. 7,birectional means for communicating with the apparatus can be provided,comprising, for instance, a display 101, a keyboard 102 and a remotecontrol 103.

These bidirectional communications means can be used by an operator,such as the paramedic personnel, or directly by a patient.

The electronic means 9 act on the motion means 3 commanding the linearactuator of the cylinder 33 described above. For the proper operation ofthe anatomic support element 2, means 96 for sensing alignment with thebed L are provided.

The electronic means 9 can comprise a series of sensors placed incorrespondence with suitable parts of the equipment to be monitored. Alevel sensor 91 and a temperature sensor 92, acting on the water tank44, can be provided, as well as a level sensor 93 and a temperaturesensor 94 on the detergent tank 43.

The cleansing means can also be commanded providing a connection betweenthe electronic means 9 and the water and detergent pumps 40 and 41.

Analogously, the electronic means 9 can be connected to the intake fan51 and to the drying fan 52, and temperature sensors 95 can be providedon resistor 57 which heats the drying air flow.

The invention thus conceived can be subject to numerous modificationsand variations, without thereby departing from the scope of theinventive concept. Moreover, all components may be replaced withtechnically equivalent elements.

What is claimed is:
 1. Sanitary apparatus for assisting infirm personsin performing physiological functions, said apparatus comprising:asupport structure presenting at its top an opening; an anatomic supportelement positioned in correspondence with said opening and defining asupport area; motion means able to translate vertically at least saidanatomic support element between at least two positions including afirst lower stand-by position and a second raised position suitable forperforming said physiological functions, wherein a corresponding part ofthe infirm person is able to rest on the anatomic element; cleansingmeans and ventilation means positioned and acting in correspondence withsaid support area and adapted for respectively delivering a cleansingliquid and producing a circulation of air in the area; support meansable to support a container for the collection of at least one ofresidues of said physiological functions and said cleansing liquid, incorrespondence with said support area; and, means for closing thecontainer to isolate hermetically its content.
 2. Sanitary apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said support means comprise at least twosupport elements, suited to interact with corresponding first opposedportions presented by said container and moved along an operating pathwhich provides for at least two positions in which said supportelements, together with said first opposed portions of the containersupported by them, open said container and close the container,respectively.
 3. Sanitary apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidsupport elements are fitted on first ends of first "L" shaped levers,with their fulcrum, in correspondence with their angular portion, oncorresponding horizontal axes and on whose other ends act first commandrods adjustable vertically, so as to lead said support elements alongsaid operating path in correspondence with vertical relative to saidfirst rods.
 4. Sanitary apparatus according to claim 3, wherein saidfirst command rods are operably located relative to said motion means,in such a way that a move made by said anatomic support element from thesecond raised position to the first lower position, corresponds a moveby said support elements, along said operating path, from the positionin which the container is open to the position in which the container isclosed.
 5. Sanitary apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidcontainer comprises a bag-shaped receptacle provided with its own seatsplaced in correspondence with said first opposed container portions, andwherein said support elements comprise two stems positioned horizontallyand adapted for insertion into said seats to support said container. 6.Sanitary apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said containercomprises a receptacle made of heat-sealable material and wherein saidmeans able to close the container comprise binding elements positionedbelow said support elements between a mouth and a bottom of saidreceptacle, across the receptacle itself, so as to close the receptacleby irremovably binding its two second opposed portions along a closureline positioned below said first opposed portions of the receptacle. 7.Sanitary apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for closingthe container are fitted below said support elements between a mouth anda bottom of said container in order to close the container irremovablybinding two second opposed portions of said container placed below saidfirst opposed portions of said container.
 8. Sanitary apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein said seats are provided on two opposedfaces of said receptacle and wherein two folding elements are provided,acting vertically on each of the flanks of the receptacle includedbetween said faces, in order to set the receptacle itself, prior to theactivation of said means able to close, in a configuration in which saidflanks are folded and interposed between the two faces drawn nearer toeach other.
 9. Sanitary apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidcontainer comprises a receptacle made of heat-sealable material andwherein said means able to close the container comprise binding elementsable to seal the container.
 10. Sanitary apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said closing means comprise two opposed linear extensionelements essentially arranged horizontally and supported by first endsof second "L" shaped levers, with their fulcrum, in correspondence withtheir angular portion, on corresponding horizontal axes, and on whoseother ends act second command rods adjustable vertically, so as to leadsaid opposed linear extension elements along a second operating pathbetween a stand-by configuration in which the elements are distanced andan active configuration in which they are in contact with second opposedportions of said container to close the adjustable.
 11. Sanitaryapparatus according to claim 10, wherein said second command rods areoperably located relative to said motion means, in such a way that amove, made by said anatomic support element, from the second raisedposition to the first lower position, corresponds a move by said opposedlinear extension elements, along said second operating path, from theposition in which the closing means are in stand-by configuration to aposition in which they are in active configuration.
 12. Sanitaryapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reversible means forfastening said anatomic support element to said support structure, inorder to facilitate cleaning and/or sterilizing the anatomic supportelement.
 13. Sanitary apparatus according to claim 12, wherein saidanatomic support element is made of autoclavable material.
 14. Sanitaryapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said anatomic support element ismade of autoclavable material.
 15. Sanitary apparatus according to claim1, wherein it is provided with electronic command and control meansconnected to said motion means, to said cleansing means, to saidventilation means, to said support means and to said means for closingthe receptacle, so as to make the apparatus perform a series ofoperations according to a procedure determined by one of an operator anda protocol stored by the electronic means.
 16. Sanitary apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein said motion means comprise at least onevariable extension element fitted and acting on the apparatus between abase portion and a movable portion supporting said anatomic supportelement and wherein said electronic command and control means areconnected to sensing means able to verify the alignment of said anatomicsupport element with a bed to enable proper setting of a height of theapparatus for performing said physiological functions.
 17. Sanitaryapparatus according to claim 15, wherein said cleansing means comprise atank to contain water, a tank to contain a detergent, respectivelyprovided with means able to heat said water and means able to heat saiddetergent and on which act respectively a pump for the water and a pumpfor the detergent and wherein said electronic means are connected to alevel sensor and to a temperature sensor acting on the water tank, to alevel sensor and to a temperature sensor acting on the detergent tank,as well as to said water and detergent pumps.
 18. Sanitary apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein said ventilation means comprise an intakefan and a drying fan, acting respectively on an intake duct and on adrying duct, and wherein said electronic means are connected to saidintake fan, to said drying fan and to said temperature sensing meansprovided and acting at least on said drying duct.